The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announces that the Beach Water Quality Monitoring Program, which evaluates weekly water quality at popular swimming beaches throughout the Territory by sampling for Enterococci Bacteria and Turbidity, which is a measure of water clarity, advises the public of the following:

SAFE FOR SWIMMING OR FISHING

DPNR performed water quality analysis at 34 designated beaches throughout the Territory during the week of September 14-18, 2020 .

ALL BEACHES MEET WATER QUALITY STANDARDS AND ARE SAFE FOR SWIMMING OR FISHING.

WATER QUALITY UNKNOWN

Please Note: Samples were not collected at the following beaches:

• Columbus Landing on St. Croix due to the high concentration of Sargassum Seaweed impacting the nearshore.

Therefore, the water quality of these beaches, is unknown.

NOTES

All persons should also be aware that storm water runoff may also contain contaminants or pollutants harmful to human health and therefore all persons should avoid areas of storm water runoff (i.e. guts, puddles, and drainage basins). DPNR will continue to monitor the impacted areas and waters.

For additional information regarding water quality, call the Division of Environmental Protection at 773-1082 in St. Croix or 774-3320 in St. Thomas.